Introduction

Socialization helps people learn to function successfully in their social worlds. This learning
takes place through interaction with various agents of socialization like peer groups and families
plus both formal and informal social institutions. Social groups often provide the first experience
of socialization People first learn to use the tangible objects of material culture in these settings
as well as being introduced to beliefs and values of society.

Agents of socialization

a) Family

Family is the first agent of socialization. Mothers and fathers, siblings and grandparents, plus
members of an extended family, all teach a child what he or she needs to know. For example,
they show the child how to use objects (such as clothes, computers, eating utensils, books).
The family also teach how to relate to others e.g family, friends, strangers, teachers or
neighbors.

b) Peer groups
A peer group is made up of people who are similar in age and social status and who share
interests. Peer group socialization begins in early years, such as kids on a playground
teach younger children the norms about taking turns, the rules of a game. Peer groups are
important to adolescents in a new way as they begin to develop an identity separate from
their parents and exert independence.
c) Institutional agents
i) School: schools also serve a latent function in society by socializing children
into behaviors like practicing team work, following a schedule and using text
books. School and classroom rituals led by teachers serve as role models and
leaders, regularly reinforce what society expects from children.
ii) Workplace: workers require new socialization into a workplace, in terms of
both material culture ( such as how to operate a copy machine) and non
material culture (whether its okay to speak directly to the boss)

Importance of the agent of socialization

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Socialization is the lifelong process of inheriting and disseminating norms. Customs and
ideologies providing an individual with skills and habits necessary for participating within his or
her own society. Socialization is the process by which human infants acquire the skills necessary
to perform as a functioning member of their society, a process that continues through out an
individuals life.

The socialization process can be divided into primary and secondary socialization. Primary
socialization occurs when a child learns the attributes, values and actions appropriate to
individual members of a particular culture. This is mainly influenced by the immediate family
and friends. Secondary socialization is the process of learning what is the appropriate behaviour
as a member of a small group within the larger society. It is the behaviour patterns reinforced by
socializing agents of society like schools and workplaces.

When are the agents of socialization most relevant

Despite increasing recognition of the entire life course, childhood (including infancy) certainly
remains the most important stage of most people's lives for socialization and for the cognitive,
emotional and physiological development that is so crucial during the early years of anyone's
life. In this stage, the child learns appropriate behaviour, boundaries, empathy and other social
skills, that will remain with them for life. Scholars say that the first five years of a child are the
most important as this is when a child becomes what They are going to be.

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References

Www.beststart.org

Www.coursehero.org

Www.courses.lumenlearning.com